System and methods for servicing electronic transactions

Abstract

A method for using an electronic transaction device with an electronic transaction service provider may include the steps of registering the electronic transaction device with the electronic transaction device service provider, registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to a plurality of service institutions, providing a data connection between the electronic transaction device and the electronic transaction device service provider, and storing account information for a plurality of service institutions at the electronic transaction device service provider. The method may also include the steps of providing access to a database of client information to the client and analyzing transactional information in the database of client information for a plurality of accounts. The method may also include the steps of designating a portion of the client database non-confidential; analyzing the portion of the client database designated as non-confidential for preferences and patterns; and providing analyzed transactional information to a plurality of vendors.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for using an electronic transaction device with a transaction service provider, comprising:
 registering the electronic transaction device with the transaction service provider; 
 registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to a plurality of service institutions; 
 providing a data connection between the electronic transaction device and the transaction service provider; 
 creating a database of client information including personal information, account information, and transactional information; 
 storing account information for a plurality of service institutions in the database of client information; 
 transferring transactional information, including a plurality of transaction records, from the registered electronic transaction device to the transaction service provider via the data connection, the transaction records comprising at least a date, a transaction total, and a vendor; and 
 storing the transferred transactional information in the database of client information. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of registering the electronic transaction device with the transaction service provider further comprises the steps of:
 registering a client associated with the electronic transaction device with the transaction service provider; 
 collecting and storing personal information from the client in the database of client information; 
 archiving a password corresponding to the client; and 
 archiving the personal information stored on the electronic transaction device in the database of client information. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of registering a plurality of accounts corresponding to a plurality of service institutions further comprises the steps of:
 storing account information in the database of client information; 
 storing transactional information; and 
 reconciling transaction records received from the electronic transaction device with transaction records received from the plurality of service institutions. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of providing access to a database of client information to the client and analyzing transactional information in the database of client information for a plurality of accounts. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 designating a portion of the client database non-confidential; 
 analyzing the portion of the client database designated as non-confidential for preferences and patterns; and 
 providing analyzed transactional information to a plurality of vendors. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of downloading promotional information to the electronic transaction device from the transaction service provider. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of downloading promotional information further comprises assembling promotional information from a plurality of vendors. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic transaction device is a universal electronic transaction card. 
     
     
       9. A method for providing promotional information to at least one client device, comprising:
 a. receiving a first plurality of transaction records from at least one service institution corresponding to a plurality of clients at a transaction service provider and receiving a second plurality of transaction records from said client device at said transaction service provider; 
 b. the transaction service provider consolidating the first and second pluralities of transaction records; 
 c. receiving promotional information at the transaction service provider from at least one vendor; 
 d. the transaction service provider consolidating the promotional information; 
 e. offering promotional information to a client based on the consolidated transaction records; and 
 f. downloading the promotional information from the transaction service provider to the client device upon receipt of a request from the client wherein said client device comprises a handheld electronic transaction device. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of offering promotional information to the client is performed by the transaction service provider. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of offering promotional information to the client is performed by the at least one vendor. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. creating a plurality of client profiles at the transaction service provider, each client profile corresponding to a client and including direct client input and transaction history information; 
 b. creating a plurality of vendor profiles at the transaction service provider, each vendor profile corresponding to a vendor and including direct input by the vendor; 
 c. identifying at least one client to receive promotional information based on the plurality of client profiles and the plurality of vendor profiles; and 
 d. delivering the promotional information to at least one client device associated with the identified client. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of transaction records comprises an electronic receipt.